Ludhiana: A home guard deployed at Ludhiana Central Jail has been arrested for allegedly throwing mobile phones into the prison premises, officials said on Wednesday.
The accused, identified as Vishal Kumar, a resident of Jammu and Kashmir, was posted on duty at one of the jail’s watchtowers. Jail authorities caught the violation during routine surveillance and handed him over to the police.
Based on a complaint filed by deputy superintendent of jail Surjit Singh, police at Division No. 7 police station registered a case under provisions of the Jail Act.
According to the complaint, on January 27 around 7.40 am, a cloth bundle was seen being thrown into barrack number 2 from outside the jail wall. A search of the bundle led to the recovery of three mobile phones. Subsequent inquiry revealed that the phones had been thrown inside by the home guard on duty.
During questioning, the accused initially denied involvement but later admitted to throwing the mobile phones into the jail, officials said. Investigators said he had allegedly coordinated with individuals outside the jail and used his tower duty to facilitate the act.
Police said jail watchtowers are manned by home guard personnel, and the accused was posted at one such location when the incident occurred. The phones were wrapped in cloth before being thrown inside to avoid detection.
Officials added that it is difficult to smuggle items through the main jail entrance due to scanners and strict checks, prompting attempts to deliver prohibited items by throwing them over the walls.
In a related development, two inmates were also found in possession of mobile phones during separate checks inside the jail. Following an internal inquiry, jail authorities lodged a complaint, and police registered cases against the inmates identified as Lov Gill and Karanveer Singh.
Further investigation is underway to identify others involved in the racket and determine who the recovered mobile phones were intended for.
